Oxtail Stew

A wonderfully rich, savory, and comforting slow-cooked, well-seasoned oxtail paired with brandy tomato sauce makes a cozy and warming winter meal and an ideal energy source for a Ketogenic, Carnivore, or Ketovore ways of eating. Oxtails contain a ton of collagen and benefits from long, slow cooking (at least 3 hours), but will reward you with a deep, hearty and flavourful winter stew.
After browning the oxtails in an ovenproof skillet, there's little else to do than let them simmer in the oven with tomatoes, celery, spices, stock and brandy for about 4 hours until fork tender. So be patient. Use less stock or reduce the sauce longer if you prefer a thicker stew.

2 Onions, peeled and cut into wedges
1 Celery stick, chopped
500 g Tomatoes, chopped or canned
2 Garlic heads, top third sliced off
2 kg Oxtail, chopped into 5cm chunks (ask your butcher to do this)
Salt and pepper
4 tbsp Beef tallow (ghee or olive oil)
3-4 Thyme sprigs
2 Bay leaf, torn into smaller piece
5 Juniper berries
50 ml Brandy
1/2-1l Beef stock (depends on how thick you'd like the stew)
1 tbsp Chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 150C/300F. Peel the onions and cut into wedges. Wash and chop the tomatoes. Pat the oxtails dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
Heat the beef tallow (ghee or oil) in an oven safe skillet, sear the oxtails in the hot skillet on all sides until golden brown. Use tongs to remove oxtails to a plate, setting aside.
Add the onions and celery to the skillet and stir-fry for a few minutes until the onions are translucent. Add in the thyme, bay leaves, juniper berries and tomatoes. Pour in brandy, beef stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Return the oxtail pieces to the sauce, nestle garlic, cut sides up, between the meat. Simmer in the middle of hot oven for approx. 4 hours until fork tender and easily falling off the bone.
Remove the oxtail pieces from the sauce with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reduce the sauce for about 10-20 minutes, depending on how thick you prefer the stew. Season with salt and pepper Return the meat to the sauce. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over and serve, if desired, with some homemade bread, dumplings, or noodles.

34 comments:

Carol @Comfort Spring Station 2/1/24 12:34: It sounds so wonderfully comforting. I've heard of dishes with ox tail but I've never had one. I can't even remember seeing ox tail in the supermarket. Maybe they call it something else. I'd love to sit with you and enjoy this beautiful dish. Wishing you health and happiness this new year.
eileeninmd 2/1/24 13:09: Hello Angie,
Your stew looks delicious! A tasty recipe, thanks for sharing.
Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.
DEZMOND 2/1/24 13:19: That is super scary!
Happy Neue Jahre!
Lola Martínez 2/1/24 13:50: Guiso calentito y contundente para el tiempo frio. Muy rico siempre.
David M. Gascoigne, 2/1/24 13:51: In my overtly carnivorous days I have eaten oxtail stew and it was delicious back then.
Tom 2/1/24 14:29: ...Angie, this looks like a hearty winter meal.
Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine 2/1/24 15:15: This is the perfect cold winter day kind of hearty meal Yum!
thepaintedapron.com 2/1/24 15:17: Winter comfort for sure, I've never had oxtail
Brian's Home Blog 2/1/24 15:33: I've never had Oxtail Stew but it sure looks wonderful!
Granny Sue 2/1/24 16:18: Oh yum! My mother used to make oxtail soup when she could get oxtail, so good. They are rarely available here, sadly, but I will see if I can find some to make this recipe.
speedy70 2/1/24 16:33: Un piatto molto appetitoso, auguri di buon anno!!!
Federica Simoni 2/1/24 17:58: wow favoloso questo piatto!
Cooking Julia 2/1/24 19:20: That stew looks very good and tasty!
Velva-Evening With A Sandwich 2/1/24 21:09: I cannot remember he last time I enjoyed oxtail stew. One of my best friends mom used to have oxtail stew simmering on the stove on Sundays. Your post brings back many good memories.

Happy New Year Angie!

Velva
Christine 2/1/24 21:22: So delicious! I love oxtail
roentare 2/1/24 22:02: I love ox tails stew very much. Dad used to cook us this meal on new year's eve
Hena Tayeb 2/1/24 23:21: Oh this looks divine.
Citu 3/1/24 03:10: Gracias por la receta. Se ve muy rico. Te mando un beso.
Anne in the kitchen 3/1/24 06:13: I have never cook oxtails. I think this is just the push I need!
Margaret D 3/1/24 07:43: Never had oxtail stew, it's something we don't seem to eat down here..
DUTA 3/1/24 16:53: 'slow cooked', 'well seasoned' - says it all about the outcome: a delicious, tasty meal!
JoAnna 3/1/24 20:04: Hello, Angie, I'm very impressed with your culinary skills, cheers!
Breathtaking 3/1/24 20:25: Hello Angie, :=)
My mother used to make Oxtail casserole, and it tasted delicious and looked just like your photo but I don't think she added brandy which will make it taste even better and help to tenderise the meat. Thank you for the recipe, I 'll try it out and let you know how it turned out.
All the best
Sonjia.
Raymund 4/1/24 00:01: OMG oxtails!!! My favorite meat cut
Grace 4/1/24 03:44: Angie!; me recordaste una comida típica de las zonas rurales de nuestro país. Creo que se asemeja. Cocinar como guiso el hueso con carne cuyo interior tiene el llamado "caracu". Es como tu receta, un plato ideal para el invierno. Calórico y nutritivo.
Un gran abrazo!
savorthebest 4/1/24 07:20: This looks amazing Angie.
David 4/1/24 19:48: Hi Angie, Great looking meal! I love a good beef stew and this is the 'right' time of the year for this dish. We've never made beef stew with oxtails but we'll be checking our markets to see if we can find some. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
My name is Erika. 5/1/24 00:45: That looks good for a cold night. I don't think I've ever seen oxtails for sale though.
2pots2cook 5/1/24 09:47: We love oxtail bolognese and I am sure this must be heavenly tasty! Thank you Angie and I wish you have a Happy New Year!
Eva Taylor 5/1/24 18:31: Just look at how rich and lucious that stew is, perfect for the chilly winter days that are upon us. I've never cooked oxtail but from the looks of it, I probably should very soon. Happy New Year!
Lowcarb team member 6/1/24 23:54: Warming and wonderful :)

All the best Jan
Marcelle 8/1/24 16:40: I have never had oxtail stew, but this dish looks absolutely delicious! Comfort food at it's finest, for sure!! We must try it soon, yum 😊
Pam 8/1/24 21:15: Wow! Just WOW. What a comforting and delicious stew. Great photos. Happy New Year!
tigerfish 16/1/24 04:24: It's cold here too! This oxtail stew is perfect for this season.